I Love When People Tell Me No, Because It Means I’m One Step Closer to a Yes

By Alexis Halikas | Business Strategist & Leadership Coach

Let me be blunt: “No” is one of my favorite words. That might sound strange coming from someone who’s built a multi-seven-figure consulting practice, scaled organizations across industries, and coached hundreds of high-performing entrepreneurs. But the truth is, “no” is where your power begins.

If you’re in the real estate world, running a business, leading a team, or building something of your own, I know you’ve been told “no” more times than you can count. No to the listing. No to the deal. No to the promotion. No to the opportunity. No to the partnership.

And if you're anything like the powerful, driven leaders I work with, you’ve let those “no’s” hit a little too hard sometimes.

But what if I told you that every “no” you hear is actually a signal that you’re getting closer to your next “yes”?

Let’s break it down.

1. “No” Is Not Rejection. It’s Redirection.

Here’s what you need to remember: “No” is not personal. It’s data.

When someone tells you no, whether it’s a client who chooses another agent, a deal that falls through, or a hire who doesn’t work out, you’re not being rejected as a person or a professional. You’re being redirected to something better aligned with your purpose, your potential, or your mission.

Think about it: How many times have you clung to a “maybe” or tried to force a yes, only to realize months later that it wasn’t the right fit?

I’ve coached real estate agents, entrepreneurs, and leaders who’ve spent years stuck in fear, afraid to move, afraid to ask, afraid to pivot, because the idea of hearing “no” felt like failure. But when we flipped the script, everything changed.

Instead of seeing “no” as a stop sign, they began to see it as a stepping stone. And that shift alone can add six figures to your bottom line and shave years off your journey.

2. Success Is a Numbers Game, But Confidence Is a Mindset

Let’s get tactical for a moment.

If you know that statistically, for every 10 pitches you make, you’ll land one yes, then every no is progress. It’s movement. It’s part of the math.

The key isn’t to avoid hearing no. It’s to hear it faster, recover quicker, and move with more intention toward the right opportunities.

You don’t need more hours in the day; you need a more resilient mindset. One that says:

• “That no wasn’t about me. What can I learn?”

• “That door closed. What other one just opened?”

• “That client passed. Who is still waiting for me to show up?”

This is the mindset that separates burnt-out agents from consistent producers. It’s the mindset that distinguishes overwhelmed entrepreneurs from those building sustainable, scalable businesses.

And most importantly, it’s the mindset that helps you stop questioning your worth and start claiming your seat at the table.

3. If You’re Not Hearing “No,” You’re Not Playing Big Enough

Let’s talk about discomfort.

If you’re not getting told “no” on a regular basis, chances are you’re not putting yourself out there enough. You’re playing it safe. You’re staying in the familiar.

I get it. After one bad brokerage decision, one failed investment, one major mistake, it’s tempting to stay small. To shrink. To stop asking.

But you didn’t start this journey to stay safe. You started because you knew you were meant for more.

• More income

• More impact

• More autonomy

• More time freedom

• More legacy

So why do you keep second-guessing your next move? Why are you still trying to “make it work” in environments that don’t serve you?

Here’s the truth: your growth lives just beyond the no you’re afraid to hear.

When you get brave enough to ask for the raise, launch the product, leave the broken system, or speak up about what you really want, you invite alignment into your life. You create space for the “yes” that was meant for you all along.

4. The Real Risk Is Staying Stuck

I’ve seen too many business owners and real estate agents talk themselves out of bold decisions because of what might go wrong.

But have you considered what you’re sacrificing by staying stuck?

• Lost revenue because you’re under-supported

• Chronic burnout because you won’t ask for help

• Missed opportunities because you’re playing small

• Ongoing anxiety because you refuse to bet on yourself

That’s not business, it’s survival. And survival isn’t the reason you started this.

If you're waking up overwhelmed, constantly hustling without results, questioning your value, or wondering if your best days are behind you, I want you to hear this:

You are not broken. You are not behind. You are just operating with a mindset that no longer serves you.

That’s why hearing “no” doesn’t scare me. Because I know every no eliminates what's not for me, and brings me one step closer to what is.

5. The Power of the Pivot: What Happens When You Embrace the “No”

I’ve helped agents who were drowning in stress, entrepreneurs who hadn’t taken a day off in years, and leaders who were quietly burning out behind their business façade.

And do you know what they all had in common?

They were waiting for permission to shift, to pivot, to finally stop surviving and start leading.

But the permission wasn’t going to come from a coach, a spouse, a manager, or a magic moment.It had to come from them.

When they finally said “yes” to themselves—when they stopped fearing the no—they unlocked everything they’d been chasing:

• Confidence

• Clients

• Clarity

• Cashflow

Not because they worked harder, but because they started working smarter, from a place of alignment, not fear.

6. You Are One Yes Away

You might be just one conversation away from the shift you’ve been praying for. One strategy call. One bold ask. One hard decision. One brave pivot.

But you won’t find that “yes” unless you’re willing to hear some “no’s” along the way.

And when you reframe your mindset around rejection, you’ll stop trying to control every outcome and start trusting the process. You’ll show up more boldly, lead with more conviction, and finally build the life and business that reflects your real value.

So go ahead and let them say no.

Because that “no” you hear today might be the exact thing that opens the door to your next level.

Ready to Flip the Script?

If you're tired of white-knuckling your business alone, if the hustle isn’t creating the freedom you want, it might be time to stop doing more and start doing things differently.

That shift starts with one conversation.

Book a free 1:1 Business Strategy Call with me and let’s explore what your next level looks like. You’ve done the hard part, now let’s get you to the right “yes.”

📲 Schedule A Clarity Call